World Gorilla Day is today! The largest living primates, gorillas live along equatorial Africa. Two species of gorilla exist: eastern and western. Their lifespan in the wild is between 35 to 40 years. They live in troops, and their leader is called a silverback. They are herbivores. Both species are classified as critically endangered by the IUCN.
Flag of Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau celebrates Independence Day. It gained its freedom from Portugal in 1973. Guinea-Bissau, about three times the size of Connecticut, is located at the far western edge of Africa. About 1.6 million people live in the country, and Bissau is the capital. Children can learn more at: Guinea-Bissau.
Second Official Flag of New Caledonia
New Caledonia celebrates New Caledonia Day, the day in 1853 when the islands were made a French overseas territory. Still a territorial collectivity of France, the islands lie in Oceania. About the size of New Jersey, the country is home to about 270,000 people. New Caledonia has about 25% of the world’s nickel reserves. Nouméa is the capital. Children can learn more at: New Caledonia.
Office of Attorney General was created by Congress in 1789. The attorney general heads the department of justice, which acts as the chief legal department for the country. Edmund Randolph Jennings was the country’s first attorney general; he served from 1789 to 1794. Children can learn more at: http://www.justice.gov/.
Devils Tower
NPS Photo
Devils Tower was proclaimed America’s first national monument in 1906. Theodore Roosevelt decided the approximately 1,347 acre region located in Wyoming had to be preserved. Most geologists believe Devils Tower is an igneous intrusion where the sedimentary rock around it has eroded away. Children can learn more at: Devils Tower.
Flight 93 National Memorial
Flight 93 National Memorial was established in 2002 in Stoystown, Pennsylvania. It pays tribute to the 40 people who lost their lives on United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. Their actions diverted the terrorist-captured plane from attacking the United States Capitol. A component of the National Park Service, the 1000-acre memorial is well worth a visit. Features include the Wall of Names, the Tower of Voices, and the Museum. Children can learn more at: Flight 93 National Memorial.
National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in 2016. Located on the National Mall in Washington, DC, the building houses about 33,000 artifacts. The Smithsonian Institute began construction of the building in 2003. Children can learn more at: https://nmaahc.si.edu/.
OSIRIS-REx Dropped off its Asteroid Canister in 2023. The space craft had lifted off on September 26, 2016. The unmanned space project Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security – Regolith Explorer traveled 200 million miles to the asteroid 101955 Bennu on December 3, 2018. Scientists had expected Bennu to be smooth and rather geographically featureless. Instead Bennu was rocky and mountainous. Eventually scientists found a spot for OSIRIS-REx to land, and it touched down on a crater on October 20, 2020. Then it began collecting surface material. After it had collected about two cups of material, it departed Bennu on May 10, 2021. As OSIRIS-REx again traveled 200 million miles and approached earth on September 24, 2023, it ejected the sample. The sample-filled canister landed safely, via parachutes, in Utah. Then OSIRIS-REx became OSIRIS-APEX and will continue its trip in space to visit 99942 Apophis in April 2029.
L. Leslie Brooke (born Birkenhead, United Kingdom, 1862; died London, United Kingdom, May 1, 1940) wrote and illustrated books for children. His works include Johnny Crow’s Garden and Oranges and Lemons. Children could learn more at: L. Leslie Brooke. They can read some of his works at: Project Gutenberg.
Jane Louise Curry (born East Liverpool, Ohio, 1932) has written at least 39 books for young adults. Her works include The Egyptian Box and The Black Canary. Young adults can visit her website at: Jane Louise Curry.
Jane Cutler (born Bronx, New York, 1936) writes books for children and young adults. Her works include The Cello of Mr. O and My Wartime Summers. Children can visit her website at: Jane Cutler.
F. Scott Fitzgerald (born St. Paul, Minnesota, 1896; died Hollywood, California, December 21, 1940) was a writer. One of his most famous works was The Great Gatsby. Young adults can read several of his books (but not The Great Gatsby) at: Project Gutenberg.
Howard Florey (born Adelaide, Australia, 1898; died Oxford, United Kingdom, February 21, 1968) was a scientist. He and Ernst Boris Chain received the 1945 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. They discovered a method to mass produce penicillin and thus saved millions of lives.
Jim Henson (born Greenville, Mississippi, 1936; died New York, New York, May 16, 1990) created the Muppets. He was very active in the production of Sesame Street. He also created several movies. Idea: Children could create puppets and produce their own plays.
John Marshall
John Marshall (born Germantown, Virginia, 1755; died Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 6, 1835) was a member of the House of Representatives and was John Adams’s secretary of state. However, he is most remembered as the Supreme Court Chief Justice who really defined the court. He also made the Supreme Court an important role within the framework of the Constitution. Children could read John Marshall (Supreme Court Justices) by Jim Corrigan. They could also learn more at: John Marshall.
Wilson Rawls (born Scraper, Oklahoma, 1913; died Cornell, Wisconsin, December 16, 1984) was a children’s author. He wrote Where the Red Fern Grows and Summer of the Monkeys. Children could learn more at: Wilson Rawls.